The eighth episode kicks off with Seung-hyo admitting his feelings to Seok-ryu at her father’s eatery. In a state of confusion, Seok ryu accidentally burns her hand when trying to redirect her focus away from the confession while removing a pot lid. Seung hyo assists her in cooling her hand and she comments on the warmth of his touch. He shares his concerns for her and emphasizes that he has had feelings for her since they were children. He is aware of her confusion and assures her that he will allow her the space to consider his words. At the same time, Seung-hyo’s mother discovers the necklace he had given her, realizing she already owned it. But because of her love for her son, she chooses to wear the gift he gave her and believes it is superior to her previous item. Nevertheless, her spouse comes back to the medical facility feeling disheartened.
It is uncovered that Seok-ryu developed feelings for Seung-hyo before she reciprocated them. She remembers how he assisted her as a child when she was scared of the water. However, Seung-hyo experiences a ritualistic mental breakdown after confessing. Then, both of them spend a lot of time opening and closing their curtains to check if the other person is asleep. The following day, both of them have not slept well.
Although Seung-hyo’s parents’ relationship is tense, his father is now suspicious that his mother is still having an affair with the vice minister. Following the altercation with her brother over persuading their mother to invest, Seok ryu’s mother observes that she appears more attractive and had even applied perfume before heading out. Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu encounter each other in front of their home. They attempt to figure out when Seok-ryu’s response will expire by using items from the convenience store, and Seung-hyo selects a milk carton that expires in 11 days. Now, Seok-ryu must respond to him within this window of time. She becomes too emotional looking at him, so she flees before he can catch on.
In the meantime, Dan-ho receives permission to follow the paramedics for a day to write a piece, after being motivated by witnessing Mo-eun rescue the man in the car crash.
On the flip side, Hyeon-jun encounters Seok-ryu’s mother and confesses his enduring love for Seok-ryu. It’s been disclosed that Seok-ryu’s mother wishes for her daughter to reconcile with Hyeon-jun as she doesn’t want Seok-ryu to experience poverty like she did. Her husband becomes upset with her because of this. Following the disagreement, he encounters Seong hyu’s father while walking down the street, and the two sorrowful men agree to grab a drink in each other’s company.
The following day, we discover that Dong-jin aspires to be an influencer and is asking his mother to purchase Instagram followers for him. Seok-ryu is opposed to it. She and Dong jin come close to fighting but their mother intervenes to prevent it. She’s fed up with constantly witnessing their arguments. In her discussion with her mother, it is revealed that Dong-jin had a heart condition as a child and the doctor recommended that his parents avoid causing him to cry. This resulted in his parents allowing him to do as he pleased, while Seok-ryu carried the burden of their entire expectations.
In a quick memory, we witness Seok-ryu and Hyeon-jun’s initial encounter at a cafe, where Hyeon-jun assisted her, sparking the beginning of their relationship.
In another location, Seung-hyo and Tae-hui deliver a productive presentation of their joint project. Seung-hyo informs Tae-hui of confessing to Seok-ryu, and she jokingly suggests he reach out to her if he faces rejection.
Seok-ryu’s mother accidentally finds out that she’s attending cooking classes when she sees her leaving the academy. Seok-ryu arrives home to discover Seung-hyo waiting for Dong-jin, who had something to propose. This is the moment when Seok-ryu’s parents come in and inquire about the cooking class. She reveals her true feelings, frustrated by her family’s pressure for her to meet impossible standards as a woman unlike Dong jin who can get away with his mistakes. Therefore, she is unable to pursue her true desires.
The debate concludes with Seok-ryu walking out of the house, and Seung-hyo going after her. Seung-hyo consoles her and provides his office kitchen for her to enhance her cooking abilities.
The day after, Dan-ho becomes an official member of Mo-eun’s team for the day as a shadow. Even after getting stung by bees, he perseveres and gains insight into the challenges of being a paramedic. At the same time, Seong hyu’s father discovers his wife eating the food that Seok ryu’s mother had brought. He organizes the food nicely for her before he goes. She feels joy. Yet, her joy is shattered when her husband sends her a text saying it’s time to end their marriage now that their son is an adult.
During dinner later on, Mo-eun’s teammates bring up the “mudflat guy,” the only man she has ever liked. She and Dan-ho both find it difficult to hide their discomfort when the subject is brought up.
The following day, Seung-hyo encounters Seok-ryu and Hyeon-jun while they are headed to his workplace. Hyeon-jun is determined and persistent in bothering Seok-ryu as he questions Seung-hyo’s company about a building project for his family’s vacation home, while Seok-ryu cooks in the kitchen.
Seung-hyo rejects Hyeon-jun’s offer, but Hyeon-jun remains determined to stay and try Seok-ryu’s cuisine. The two men are vying for her attention by complimenting her. After Seok-ryu finishes serving the meal, she suddenly collapses due to severe stomach pains.
Although Seung-hyo offers to escort her to the hospital, she opts for Hyeon-jun instead, unintentionally upsetting Seung-hyo. While at the hospital, we find out that Seok-ryu’s career hiatus was due to a stomach cancer diagnosis three years prior, leading to surgery and chemotherapy treatments. At the same time, Seung hyo experiences guilt while sitting by himself in his kitchen.
This episode completely surprised me. How on earth did this rom com turn into a melo drama. Cancer? How? I’m not sure how to feel. Although, it’s a pretty good explanation for Seok ryu’s sudden change of life. When one is faced with death, it makes one decide to do things differently from how they used to before. I just hope it doesn’t turn tragic because things are only just getting started between our leads. I feel so sorry for Seong hyu. He is going to be in a whole lot of pain judging from what we see in the next episode’s preview.